be prepared for december 2015 winter storms · 2014. 12. 6. · susan boyd gina perrotta...

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December 2015 Bright Ideas Program Rewards Shining Stars in Local School Systems What’s more fun than surprising an unsuspecting and dedicated teacher in front of a classroom full of kids with a goody bag, big check and cries of, “You’re a winner!”…? How about ambushing 23 of them in a two-day blitz of excitement and mayhem across two counties? Welcome to the annual prize pande- monium that is Bright Ideas. This program – in its eleventh year at Coweta-Fay- ette EMC and an offshoot of the popular Operation Round Up initiative – provides educational grants to teachers for special projects outside the normal scope of everyday learning and otherwise not often finan- cially possible in tightly budgeted school systems. This investment in education touches students’ lives and helps encourage innovation in grades Pre-K–12 across the EMC service territory. Grants are open to all subjects, and projects may be funded up to $1,500. Earlier in 2015, teachers were asked to submit proposals for creative classroom projects, and nearly 60 grant applications were received. Without know- ing the names of schools or the educators involved, a group of retired teachers from Coweta, Fayette and Heard Counties rated requests according to the level of creativity, as well as potential student involvement. Each fall, the Bright Ideas “award wagons” – com- prised of EMC personnel, Operation Round Up Directors and Bright Ideas judges – visit schools to deliver the gifts and checks to each winning teacher, with secrecy being key. The Bright Ideas program is sponsored by the Coweta-Fayette EMC Trust Board, Inc., Board of Directors from funds raised by EMC members who allow their bills to be “rounded up” to the nearest dollar each month. The difference between what is actually owed and the next highest dollar is placed in an interest-bearing account man- aged by the Trust Board. This grant is available every year, so interested educators are encouraged to begin working now on plans for their 2016-2017 applica- tions, which can be found online at utility.org. In 2015, $30,000 in Bright Ideas grants were awarded to deserving recipients like Elm St. Ele- mentary’s Rebecca Springfield above and Huddleston Elementary’s Adele Moore below throughout the EMC service area.

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Page 1: Be Prepared for December 2015 Winter Storms · 2014. 12. 6. · Susan Boyd Gina Perrotta Bennett’s Mill Middle School Taking Care of Myself $1,382.49 Michael Britt Meehan Murphy

December 2015

Bright Ideas Program RewardsShining Stars in Local School Systems

Chris Stephens, President and CEOC. Bradford Sears, Jr., AttorneyDouglas B. Warner, Attorney

BOARD OF DIRECTORSJames W. Fulton, III, ChairmanTherol Brown, Vice Chairman

J. Neal Shepard, Jr., Secretary-TreasurerW. L. Clements

Ross HenryAlice J. MalloryK. M. Spaller

Elwood ThompsonMildred A. Winkles

POWERlines Editor: Mary Ann Bell

807 Collinsworth Road, Palmetto, GA 30268(770) 502-0226

Coweta-Fayette EMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer/M/F/V/D.

770-502-0226 www.utility.org

What’s more fun than surprising an unsuspecting and dedicated teacher in front of a classroom full of kids with a goody bag, big check and cries of, “You’re a winner!”…? How about ambushing 23 of them in a two-day blitz of excitement and mayhem across two counties? Welcome to the annual prize pande-monium that is Bright Ideas.

This program – in its eleventh year at Coweta-Fay-ette EMC and an offshoot of the popular Operation Round Up initiative – provides educational grants to teachers for special projects outside the normal scope of everyday learning and otherwise not often finan-cially possible in tightly budgeted school systems. This investment in education touches students’ lives and helps encourage innovation in grades Pre-K–12 across the EMC service territory. Grants are open to all subjects, and projects may be funded up to $1,500.

Earlier in 2015, teachers were asked to submit proposals for creative classroom projects, and nearly 60 grant applications were received. Without know-ing the names of schools or the educators involved, a group of retired teachers from Coweta, Fayette and Heard Counties rated requests according to the level of creativity, as well as potential student involvement.

Each fall, the Bright Ideas “award wagons” – com-

prised of EMC personnel, Operation Round Up Directors and Bright Ideas judges – visit schools to deliver the gifts and checks to each winning teacher, with secrecy being key.

The Bright Ideas program is sponsored by the Coweta-Fayette EMC Trust Board, Inc., Board of Directors from funds raised by EMC members who allow their bills to be “rounded up” to the nearest dollar each month. The difference between what is actually owed and the next highest dollar is placed in an interest-bearing account man-aged by the Trust Board. This grant is available every year, so interested educators are encouraged to begin working now on plans for their 2016-2017 applica-tions, which can be found online at utility.org.

In 2015, $30,000 in Bright Ideas grants were awarded to deserving recipients – like Elm St. Ele-mentary’s Rebecca Springfield above and Huddleston Elementary’s Adele Moore below – throughout the EMC service area.

Be Prepared for Winter Storms

When temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Coweta-Fayette EMC cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.

Snow and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without electricity. During extremely low temperatures, this can be danger-ous. While restoring power during an outage, our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to get the lights and heat back on, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself. •Stay warm – Plan to use a safe alter-

nate heating source, such as a fire-place or wood-burning stove during a power outage. Be sure your chimney is kept clean, and exercise caution when using. Never leave the heating source unattended. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning sources of heat should be properly ventilated. Always read the manufacturer’s direc-tions before using.

•Stay fed – The CDC recommends hav-ing several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked. Crack-ers, cereal, canned goods, bread and plenty of water are good options.

•Stay safe – When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down. It is best not to travel dur-ing winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit along, and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are live. Stay as far away as possible, and report the situation to our dis-patchers by calling 770-502-0226.

Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and planning ahead can often be the difference between life and death. Your EMC is ready for what Mother Nature has in store, and we want you to be ready, too.

If your aging home could be made more efficient, it would help your family enjoy savings for years to come, and Coweta-Fayette EMC has rebates to help with those improvements. These incentives can assist you with heat pump replacements, insulation, addi-tional air leakage sealing and lots more. We can even provide financing to help cover the cost.

If you need help determining what modifications need to be made, contact our Energy Services de-partment to schedule an energy audit for suggestions on upgrades that will help you the most.

For a complete list of rebates, visit www.utility.org or call us at 770-502-0226 and begin planning now for a more comfortable home for the winter.

Page 2: Be Prepared for December 2015 Winter Storms · 2014. 12. 6. · Susan Boyd Gina Perrotta Bennett’s Mill Middle School Taking Care of Myself $1,382.49 Michael Britt Meehan Murphy

Welcom

e New M

embers

WN M

ELCOMEEW EMBERS

1

You are now a member/owner of Coweta-Fayette EMC, a cooperative thatsupplies your electric service. For over 65 years, we’ve provided power to homesand businesses in one of America's fastest-growing regions, while also keeping ratesreasonable, ensuring quality service and maintaining system reliability.

Please take a moment to look overyour New Member Guide. It providesuseful information about your co-opand how it works. We’ve also includedan introduction to our subsidiaries,True Natural Gas and Relyco, whichprovides home and commercial securityproducts. To make your life easier, allof these services can be added to justone bill each month. Imagine the timeyou’ll save by writing fewer checks!

It will be a pleasure to see you atthe EMC’s Annual Meeting andMember Appreciation Day each fall,where you can meet the member-electedBoard of Directors and have a say in

how your cooperative is managed. Besides the business meeting, there will beactivities the whole family can enjoy, so make sure you don’t miss it.

We are proud to have you as a member. You made a wise decision in locatingyour home and/or business here, and we look forward to serving you for manyyears to come. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you have or forfurther information on any of the services provided by your EMC, Relyco and TrueNatural Gas.

Sincerely,

Chris StephensPresident & CEO

New Member Guide

book layout for revert 999.qxp 1/6/2015 9:09 AM Page 1

Seventy-five years ago, a Tennessee farmer stood up in church and said, “The greatest thing on Earth is to have the love of God in your heart, and the next greatest thing is to have electricity in your house.” Last week, I attended the NRECA regional meeting in Biloxi, Miss., where the organization’s Board Chairman Mel Coleman discussed “The Next Greatest Thing,” which was this year’s theme and an acknowledgement of the great work electric co-ops have already done and must still do in the future.

When the Rural Electrification Act (REA) was first discussed in our nation’s capital in the 1930s, many felt providing electricity to rural America was impossible and too costly. It took our ancestors joining together and standing up for their beliefs to make “The Next Greatest Thing” a reality.

Now it’s our turn. The face of the electric utility is changing. Cooperatives are again in a position to succeed because our structure is such that we can overcome disruption by innovation. We are typically small, and therefore nimble. As Mel put it, “Our problems are not going to be solved by some heavy-handed, top-down edict. The solutions are going to come from small groups of motivated people work-ing together to try new ideas.”

This is one of the reasons we are against the Clean Power Plan (CPP), the Environmental Protection Agency’s strategy to limit carbon dioxide emissions

from electric generating units nationwide by 32% below 2005 levels by the year 2030. Through prior regulation known as Mercury and Air Toxics Stan-dards, Georgia utilities have already reduced our carbon footprint by 30%. Under the CPP, we are now being required to reduce emissions another 34%. As an electric co-op, we prefer to utilize one of our greatest assets – innovation – rather than regulation to develop solutions for our members. We believe in answers that make sense. In fact, without any regulation, co-ops led the nation in grid modernization through Advanced Metering Infrastructure, distribution automation, self-healing networks and demand management. When it comes to watts per consumer, three of the top four solar utilities in the U.S. are electric cooperatives.

If you consider our generation mix, Coweta- Fayette EMC should be seen as a poster child under the CPP. Fourteen years ago, we led 15 Georgia co-ops and formed Green Power EMC. Today, 38 co-ops in the state are members. Green Power EMC will have over 250 MW of renewable energy by the end of 2016, more than 200 MW of which will be solar. We were developing renewable resources before it was cool, and we didn’t do it because the government said we had to: we did it because we knew it was best for our members. This is proof that cooperatives take on challenges and develop creative solutions.

Remember, it’s not a matter of “if” someone will develop “The Next Greatest Thing,” but “who” will. Cooperatives are families, and we will continue to develop innovative solutions as Coweta-Fayette EMC has done for almost 70 years. We will stick to our principles and listen to our members to continue pro-viding the safe, reliable and affordable electric service that you have come to expect.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The President’s MessageChris Stephens President and CEO

Guy SerapionHuddleston Elementary SchoolYou Are My Sunshine$1,500.00

Susan Boyd Bennett’s Mill Middle SchoolTaking Care of Myself $1,382.49

Michael Britt Central Educational CenterCyclorama Wall$1,500.00

Stephanie LemonsKedron Elementary SchoolLead the Way$1,460.00

Donna Clark East Coweta High SchoolPPP-Promethean Board Providing Participation$1,500.00

Melanie BarnettEast Coweta Middle SchoolLearn to Invent, Invent to Learn$1,444.50

Jennifer Doonan Lee Middle SchoolRead, Write, Create!$1,402.80

Kelly DugganNewnan Crossing Elementary SchoolSimple Robotics$1,494.74

Grace CannonMcIntosh High SchoolEnteroPluri Identification$642.70

Meehan MurphyRising Starr Middle SchoolScreen Printing Fashion Fundamentals$1,500.00

Jillian GreenwoodRuth Hill Elementary SchoolEnhancing Gross and Fine Motor Skills$1,000.00

Elizabeth Hilton & Ellen AdamsNewnan High School Digital Microscopy$$1,490.00

Permeil DassSandy Creek High SchoolConnecting and Growing$1,500.00

Orla ThomasNorthgate High SchoolThe Colors of Chemistry$1,490.00

Paula CorleyWhite Oak Elementary SchoolCircuit Circus$1,500.00

Gina PerrottaPeeples Elementary SchoolInteractive Writer’s Workshop$1,500.00

Gail FrantzPeeples Elementary SchoolPlease Lettuce Grow $1,172.00

Lisa RobyWhitewater Middle SchooliPads for iNdependence$1,500.00

Kelly GagneWillis Road Elementary SchoolThe Fast Track$493.71

Lisa QuickArbor Springs Elementary SchoolThe Problem Solvers’ Club$926.26

James “Mitch” Bailey East Coweta Middle SchoolPedals for Pilots$1,476.00

Meet the rest of our Bright Ideas Winners for 2015!

Feeling a few drafts as cooler temperatures return? Weather strip-ping is typically an easy fix that will eliminate energy waste, help save on monthly electric bills and keep your home more comfortable in the winter months to come.

Page 3: Be Prepared for December 2015 Winter Storms · 2014. 12. 6. · Susan Boyd Gina Perrotta Bennett’s Mill Middle School Taking Care of Myself $1,382.49 Michael Britt Meehan Murphy

Welcom

e New M

embers

WN M

ELCOMEEW EMBERS

1

You are now a member/owner of Coweta-Fayette EMC, a cooperative thatsupplies your electric service. For over 65 years, we’ve provided power to homesand businesses in one of America's fastest-growing regions, while also keeping ratesreasonable, ensuring quality service and maintaining system reliability.

Please take a moment to look overyour New Member Guide. It providesuseful information about your co-opand how it works. We’ve also includedan introduction to our subsidiaries,True Natural Gas and Relyco, whichprovides home and commercial securityproducts. To make your life easier, allof these services can be added to justone bill each month. Imagine the timeyou’ll save by writing fewer checks!

It will be a pleasure to see you atthe EMC’s Annual Meeting andMember Appreciation Day each fall,where you can meet the member-electedBoard of Directors and have a say in

how your cooperative is managed. Besides the business meeting, there will beactivities the whole family can enjoy, so make sure you don’t miss it.

We are proud to have you as a member. You made a wise decision in locatingyour home and/or business here, and we look forward to serving you for manyyears to come. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you have or forfurther information on any of the services provided by your EMC, Relyco and TrueNatural Gas.

Sincerely,

Chris StephensPresident & CEO

New Member Guide

book layout for revert 999.qxp 1/6/2015 9:09 AM Page 1

Seventy-five years ago, a Tennessee farmer stood up in church and said, “The greatest thing on Earth is to have the love of God in your heart, and the next greatest thing is to have electricity in your house.” Last week, I attended the NRECA regional meeting in Biloxi, Miss., where the organization’s Board Chairman Mel Coleman discussed “The Next Greatest Thing,” which was this year’s theme and an acknowledgement of the great work electric co-ops have already done and must still do in the future.

When the Rural Electrification Act (REA) was first discussed in our nation’s capital in the 1930s, many felt providing electricity to rural America was impossible and too costly. It took our ancestors joining together and standing up for their beliefs to make “The Next Greatest Thing” a reality.

Now it’s our turn. The face of the electric utility is changing. Cooperatives are again in a position to succeed because our structure is such that we can overcome disruption by innovation. We are typically small, and therefore nimble. As Mel put it, “Our problems are not going to be solved by some heavy-handed, top-down edict. The solutions are going to come from small groups of motivated people work-ing together to try new ideas.”

This is one of the reasons we are against the Clean Power Plan (CPP), the Environmental Protection Agency’s strategy to limit carbon dioxide emissions

from electric generating units nationwide by 32% below 2005 levels by the year 2030. Through prior regulation known as Mercury and Air Toxics Stan-dards, Georgia utilities have already reduced our car-bon footprint by 30%. Under the CPP, we are now being required to reduce emissions another 34%. As an electric co-op, we prefer to utilize one of our greatest assets – innovation – rather than regulation to develop solutions for our members. We believe in answers that make sense. In fact, without any regula-tion, co-ops led the nation in grid modernization through Advanced Metering Infrastructure, distribu-tion automation, self-healing networks and demand management. When it comes to watts per consumer, three of the top four solar utilities in the U.S. are electric cooperatives.

If you consider our generation mix, Coweta-Fay-ette EMC should be seen as a poster child under the CPP. Fourteen years ago, we led 15 Georgia co-ops and formed Green Power EMC. Today, 38 co-ops in the state are members. Green Power EMC will have over 250 MW of renewable energy by the end of 2016, more than 200 MW of which will be solar. We were developing renewable resources before it was cool, and we didn’t do it because the government said we had to: we did it because we knew it was best for our members. This is proof that cooperatives take on challenges and develop creative solutions.

Remember, it’s not a matter of “if” someone will develop “The Next Greatest Thing,” but “who” will. Cooperatives are families, and we will continue to develop innovative solutions as Coweta-Fayette EMC has done for almost 70 years. We will stick to our principles and listen to our members to continue pro-viding the safe, reliable and affordable electric service that you have come to expect.

The President’s MessageChris Stephens President and CEO

Guy SerapionHuddleston Elementary SchoolYou Are My Sunshine$1,500.00

Susan Boyd Bennett’s Mill Middle SchoolTaking Care of Myself $1,382.49

Michael Britt Central Educational CenterCyclorama Wall$1,500.00

Stephanie LemonsKedron Elementary SchoolLead the Way$1,460.00

Donna Clark East Coweta High SchoolPPP-Promethean Board Providing Participation$1,500.00

Melanie BarnettEast Coweta Middle SchoolLearn to Invent, Invent to Learn$1,444.50

Jennifer Doonan Lee Middle SchoolRead, Write, Create!$1,402.80

Kelly DugganNewnan Crossing Elementary SchoolSimple Robotics$1,494.74

Grace CannonMcIntosh High SchoolEnteroPluri Identification$642.70

Meehan MurphyRising Starr Middle SchoolScreen Printing Fashion Fundamentals$1,500.00

Jillian GreenwoodRuth Hill Elementary SchoolEnhancing Gross and Fine Motor Skills$1,000.00

Elizabeth Hilton & Ellen AdamsNewnan High School Digital Microscopy$$1,490.00

Permeil DassSandy Creek High SchoolConnecting and Growing$1,500.00

Orla ThomasNorthgate High SchoolThe Colors of Chemistry$1,490.00

Paula CorleyWhite Oak Elementary SchoolCircuit Circus$1,500.00

Gina PerrottaPeeples Elementary SchoolInteractive Writer’s Workshop$1,500.00

Gail FrantzPeeples Elementary SchoolPlease Lettuce Grow $1,172.00

Lisa RobyWhitewater Middle SchooliPads for iNdependence$1,500.00

Kelly GagneWillis Road Elementary SchoolThe Fast Track$493.71

Lisa QuickArbor Springs Elementary SchoolThe Problem Solvers’ Club$926.26

James “Mitch” Bailey East Coweta Middle SchoolPedals for Pilots$1,476.00

Meet the rest of our Bright Ideas Winners for 2015!

Feeling a few drafts as cooler temperatures return? Weather strip-ping is typically an easy fix that will eliminate energy waste, help save on monthly electric bills and keep your home more comfortable in the winter months to come.

Page 4: Be Prepared for December 2015 Winter Storms · 2014. 12. 6. · Susan Boyd Gina Perrotta Bennett’s Mill Middle School Taking Care of Myself $1,382.49 Michael Britt Meehan Murphy

December 2015

Bright Ideas Program RewardsShining Stars in Local School Systems

Chris Stephens, President and CEOC. Bradford Sears, Jr., AttorneyDouglas B. Warner, Attorney

BOARD OF DIRECTORSJames W. Fulton, III, ChairmanTherol Brown, Vice Chairman

J. Neal Shepard, Jr., Secretary-TreasurerW. L. Clements

Ross HenryAlice J. MalloryK. M. Spaller

Elwood ThompsonMildred A. Winkles

POWERlines Editor: Mary Ann Bell

807 Collinsworth Road, Palmetto, GA 30268(770) 502-0226

Coweta-Fayette EMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer/M/F/V/D.

770-502-0226 www.utility.org

What’s more fun than surprising an unsuspecting and dedicated teacher in front of a classroom full of kids with a goody bag, big check and cries of, “You’re a winner!”…? How about ambushing 23 of them in a two-day blitz of excitement and mayhem across two counties? Welcome to the annual prize pande-monium that is Bright Ideas.

This program – in its eleventh year at Coweta-Fay-ette EMC and a offshoot of the popular Operation Round Up initiative – provides educational grants to teachers for special projects outside the normal scope of everyday learning and otherwise not often finan-cially possible in tightly budgeted school systems. This investment in education touches students’ lives and helps encourage innovation in grades Pre-K–12 across the EMC service territory. Grants are open to all subjects, and projects may be funded up to $1,500.

Earlier in 2015, teachers were asked to submit proposals for creative classroom projects, and nearly 60 grant applications were received. Without know-ing the names of schools or the educators involved, a group of retired teachers from Coweta, Fayette and Heard Counties rated requests according to the level of creativity, as well as potential student involvement.

Each fall, the Bright Ideas “award wagons” – com-

prised of EMC personnel, Operation Round Up Directors and Bright Ideas judges – visit schools to deliver the gifts and checks to each winning teacher, with secrecy being key.

The Bright Ideas program is sponsored by the Coweta-Fayette EMC Trust Board, Inc., Board of Directors from funds raised by EMC members who allow their bills to be “rounded up” to the nearest dollar each month. The difference between what is actually owed and the next highest dollar is placed in an interest-bearing account man-aged by the Trust Board. This grant is available every year, so interested educators are encouraged to begin working now on plans for their 2016-2017 applica-tions, which can be found online at utility.org.

In 2015, $30,000in Bright Ideas grants were awarded to deserving recipients – like Elm St. Ele-mentary’s Rebecca Springfield above and Huddleston Elementary’s Adele Moore below – throughout the EMC service area.

Be Prepared for Winter Storms

When temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Coweta-Fayette EMC cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.

Snow and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without electricity. During extremely low temperatures, this can be danger-ous. While restoring power during an outage, our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to get the lights and heat back on, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself. •Stay warm – Plan to use a safe alter-

nate heating source, such as a fire-place or wood-burning stove during a power outage. Be sure your chimney is kept clean, and exercise caution when using. Never leave the heating source unattended. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning sources of heat should be properly ventilated. Always read the manufacturer’s direc-tions before using.

•Stay fed – The CDC recommends hav-ing several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked. Crack-ers, cereal, canned goods, bread and plenty of water are good options.

•Stay safe – When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down. It is best not to travel dur-ing winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit along, and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are live. Stay as far away as possible, and report the situation to our dis-patchers by calling 770-502-0226.

Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and planning ahead can often be the difference between life and death. Your EMC is ready for what Mother Nature has in store, and we want you to be ready, too.

If your aging home could be made more efficient, it would help your family enjoy savings for years to come, and Coweta-Fayette EMC has rebates to help with those improvements. These incentives can assist you with heat pump replacements, insulation, addi-tional air leakage sealing and lots more. We can even provide financing to help cover the cost.

If you need help determining what modifications need to be made, contact our Energy Services de-partment to schedule an energy audit for suggestions on upgrades that will help you the most.

For a complete list of rebates, visit www.utility.org or call us at 770-502-0226 and begin planning now for a more comfortable home for the winter.

Page 5: Be Prepared for December 2015 Winter Storms · 2014. 12. 6. · Susan Boyd Gina Perrotta Bennett’s Mill Middle School Taking Care of Myself $1,382.49 Michael Britt Meehan Murphy

December 2015

Bright Ideas Program RewardsShining Stars in Local School Systems

Chris Stephens, President and CEOC. Bradford Sears, Jr., AttorneyDouglas B. Warner, Attorney

BOARD OF DIRECTORSJames W. Fulton, III, ChairmanTherol Brown, Vice Chairman

J. Neal Shepard, Jr., Secretary-TreasurerW. L. Clements

Ross HenryAlice J. MalloryK. M. Spaller

Elwood ThompsonMildred A. Winkles

POWERlines Editor: Mary Ann Bell

807 Collinsworth Road, Palmetto, GA 30268(770) 502-0226

Coweta-Fayette EMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer/M/F/V/D.

770-502-0226 www.utility.org

What’s more fun than surprising an unsuspecting and dedicated teacher in front of a classroom full of kids with a goody bag, big check and cries of, “You’re a winner!”…? How about ambushing 23 of them in a two-day blitz of excitement and mayhem across two counties? Welcome to the annual prize pande-monium that is Bright Ideas.

This program – in its eleventh year at Coweta-Fay-ette EMC and a offshoot of the popular Operation Round Up initiative – provides educational grants to teachers for special projects outside the normal scope of everyday learning and otherwise not often finan-cially possible in tightly budgeted school systems. This investment in education touches students’ lives and helps encourage innovation in grades Pre-K–12 across the EMC service territory. Grants are open to all subjects, and projects may be funded up to $1,500.

Earlier in 2015, teachers were asked to submit proposals for creative classroom projects, and nearly 60 grant applications were received. Without know-ing the names of schools or the educators involved, a group of retired teachers from Coweta, Fayette and Heard Counties rated requests according to the level of creativity, as well as potential student involvement.

Each fall, the Bright Ideas “award wagons” – com-

prised of EMC personnel, Operation Round Up Directors and Bright Ideas judges – visit schools to deliver the gifts and checks to each winning teacher, with secrecy being key.

The Bright Ideas program is sponsored by the Coweta-Fayette EMC Trust Board, Inc., Board of Directors from funds raised by EMC members who allow their bills to be “rounded up” to the nearest dollar each month. The difference between what is actually owed and the next highest dollar is placed in an interest-bearing account man-aged by the Trust Board. This grant is available every year, so interested educators are encouraged to begin working now on plans for their 2016-2017 applica-tions, which can be found online at utility.org.

In 2015, $30,000in Bright Ideas grants were awarded to deserving recipients – like Elm St. Ele-mentary’s Rebecca Springfield above and Huddleston Elementary’s Adele Moore below – throughout the EMC service area.

Be Prepared for Winter Storms

When temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Coweta-Fayette EMC cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.

Snow and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without electricity. During extremely low temperatures, this can be danger-ous. While restoring power during an outage, our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to get the lights and heat back on, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself. •Stay warm – Plan to use a safe alter-

nate heating source, such as a fire-place or wood-burning stove during a power outage. Be sure your chimney is kept clean, and exercise caution when using. Never leave the heating source unattended. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning sources of heat should be properly ventilated. Always read the manufacturer’s direc-tions before using.

•Stay fed – The CDC recommends hav-ing several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked. Crack-ers, cereal, canned goods, bread and plenty of water are good options.

•Stay safe – When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down. It is best not to travel dur-ing winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit along, and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are live. Stay as far away as possible, and report the situation to our dis-patchers by calling 770-502-0226.

Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and planning ahead can often be the difference between life and death. Your EMC is ready for what Mother Nature has in store, and we want you to be ready, too.

If your aging home could be made more efficient, it would help your family enjoy savings for years to come, and Coweta-Fayette EMC has rebates to help with those improvements. These incentives can assist you with heat pump replacements, insulation, addi-tional air leakage sealing and lots more. We can even provide financing to help cover the cost.

If you need help determining what modifications need to be made, contact our Energy Services de-partment to schedule an energy audit for suggestions on upgrades that will help you the most.

For a complete list of rebates, visit www.utility.org or call us at 770-502-0226 and begin planning now for a more comfortable home for the winter.